ObjectiveTo explore the psychological process and needs of the second victims of medical adverse events after the occurrence of adverse events, so as to provide reference for the psychological intervention strategies of medical institutions for the second victims of medical adverse events.MethodsThe second victims of medical adverse events in the First People’s Hospital of Ziyang were selected from April to July 2019. Qualitative research method was used to conduct semi-structured in-depth interviews with the second victims. Colaizzi method was used to analyze the transcripts through reading and rereading, coding, and thematizing. ResultsA total of 22 second victims of medical adverse events were interviewed. The second victims of medical adverse events experienced negative emotional experience, and the desire to seek emotional support was urgent. The psychological process of the second victims of medical adverse events mainly involved five stages: fear, anxiety, depression, guilt and recovery. Emotional support hada positive effect on regression. Conversely, negative or lack of emotional support had a negative effect on regression. ConclusionsThe emotional experience of the second victims of medical adverse events is relatively staged, and the recovery and regression are greatly affected by internal and external factors. Hospital administrators should take active measures and establish an emotional support mechanism for adverse events in order to reduce psychosomatic injuries and improve medical quality and efficiency.